There’s a lot we are not introduced to in Ireland unless we purposely seek it out, like diverse histories, spaces, cuisines, and cultures. Often, students in secondary school do not have friends of different ethnicities. The spectrum of friendships in Ireland, in my experience, has been distinctly white Irish with a few exceptions. For some context, I grew up on the north side of the city, where all levels of my schooling took place. The distinction between north and south is important to note, as the majority of immigrants and their families who moved to Dublin settled on the northern side of the river, where housing is more affordable, meaning my school was somewhat more diverse than those of my peers living in other parts of the country.
Having grown up in these conditions, once we reach university, it can come as a surprise that so many international students chose this country for their third-level education; during my first term in college, I met people from every corner of the globe: India, China, and New Zealand. I had never met a Texan before. I had never even met a Jewish person before. This unfamiliarity is not uncommon for my generation, who grew up in very catholic Irish communities. Other nations and their cultures seem so far away when you live in Ireland; at times we can feel forgotten or insignificant to the rest of the world.
“… diversity in education is inherently positive.”
This, however, is not necessarily the schooling experience for everyone in Ireland, particularly the generation after mine. Young people still in the first and second phases of their education will have a much higher percentage of students with international backgrounds in their classes, and whilst a very small minority of the Irish population finds fault with this– and it is a small minority– diversity in education is inherently positive, and something Ireland should value and further facilitate wherever and whenever possible.
“A worthwhile education is, at its core, underpinned by its exposure to knowledge.”
A worthwhile education is, at its core, underpinned by its exposure to knowledge. Food, stories, languages, and goods have been spread around the globe by migrants since the very beginning of civilisation. Irish people in particular have contributed substantially to world migration. It is within our nature to leave home. Most countries welcome us with open arms, though it is worth noting that this has not always been the case. Nonetheless, it is a distinctly Irish experience to walk the streets of any country we visit and see a pub with the tricolour waving over the door. It’s like a welcoming committee.
The first new friend I made during orientation in my first year was Italian. From just a few conversations with her, I learnt about how Ireland and Italy both differ and converge. I was immensely grateful for her friendship in those early days: it instantly removed me from the Irish secondary school mindset I had grown too accustomed to and catapulted me into a world of brighter colours, languages, interests, and stories. Before then, I felt that my defining characteristic was my Irishness, without sufficiently appreciating the extent to which we are all citizens of the world.
Back in 2022, when I began my first semester as a philosophy student, I was somewhat surprised to note that the majority of my course was made up of international students: possibly because philosophy does not offer a distinctly marked career path, something Irish students place substantial value on. Philosophy is also not a Leaving Certificate subject offered in Ireland. The latter is perhaps, more likely, the reason why I have made fewer Irish than international friends in college. Many of the students in my class had completed different exams to reach university level, like the International Baccalaureate. This meant we had different ways of writing, studying and interpreting our course material, which provided an interesting mix of perspectives, allowing us to learn from each other. That being said, when I took up English Literature as my minor subject the following year, I noticed an increase in the percentage of Irish students. It is undeniable that the ratio of international to national students differs significantly across courses. The varying levels of diversity across campus can drastically affect the university experience of students, as both international and local students have a lot to learn from their peers and the different points of view they can bring to the table. There are of course solutions to combat this imbalance. The college administration makes a significant impact in this respect; encouraging cross-table discussions through clubs and societies, and collaborating with students and faculty to bring an international perspective to lectures and courses more generally.
Having spoken to some of my international friends about their experiences on campus, I have two major takeaways regarding the international experience. One, accommodation is an issue. It is not easy to find housing close to campus in Dublin city. Both the student body and the college administration tend to project a “Halls or nothing” mindset. If, unluckily, an international student does not get approved to live in Trinity Hall in Dartry, it can feel like they are left out at sea, drifting aimlessly, unsupported and desperately seeking a bed. This, of course, is a universal feeling for Irish students, who, upon meeting the expensive brick wall that is the Dublin housing market, often have to defer their place in college. Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union’s recent “digs” campaign seeks to lessen the impacts of the city’s endemic lack of affordable housing by encouraging homeowners with spare rooms to rent to students.
My findings also indicate that the university, its students, and staff are warm, friendly, and welcome international students with open arms. The Global Room, pre-university pathway programme, international student orientation, and a myriad of other college-facilitated events provide opportunities for students to build strong support systems upon arriving in a new city. Looking back to last November, when tensions over immigration reached breaking point, and a scene which I had never imagined the likes of in this country, made for a hellish night for international students and horrified the country. Since then, tensions have continued to bubble and anti-immigration sentiment has become more prevalent. Events like these lay bare the significant challenges that international students face. Where other cohorts of society fail to recognise the value of international students and migrants, university campuses should continue to be a welcoming environment. It is imperative that educational spaces are not marred by the divisions external to them. While more can always be done to encourage integration with Irish peers, the general sentiment across campus is that Trinity, for all intents and purposes, is an international institution, one that celebrates diversity and interconnectedness.
“My view of the world has expanded tenfold and my desire to travel and work abroad has been reawakened.”
The benefits of an internationally diverse campus are endless. It makes for more interesting clubs and societies, open-minded and respectful conversations and, best of all, international friendships. They say the friends you meet in college are the friends you’ll have for life. While I cannot attest to this, having not yet lived enough of my life, I empathise with the saying. My view of the world has expanded tenfold and my desire to travel and work abroad has been reawakened. Next semester, I myself will be an international student, and I am confident I will face similar challenges to the ones my dear international friends faced when they first moved to Ireland. I hope to handle it as gracefully as they have.
